Strikethrough Shortcuts in Word: Fastest Ways

Strikethrough is the diagonal line through text that signals deletion, revision, or completion. In Microsoft Word, you can apply it with a keyboard shortcut, a ribbon button, or a custom key combination. This guide covers the built-in shortcuts, how to add a single-key toggle, and what to do when the shortcut doesn’t work.

What You’ll Need

Microsoft Word 2010 or newer (Windows or Mac)
A document with text you want to strike through
Access to the Quick Access Toolbar (for the custom shortcut method)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Built-in Keyboard Shortcuts

Select the text you want to strike through. Click and drag over it, or hold Shift and press the arrow keys.
Press the shortcut:
- Windows: Ctrl + D to open the Font dialog, then Alt + K to check the Strikethrough box, then Enter.
- Mac: Command + Shift + X applies strikethrough directly.
To remove it, select the struck-through text and press the same shortcut again (Mac) or repeat the dialog steps (Windows).

Method 2: Ribbon Button (Mouse Users)

Select the text.
Go to the Home tab.
In the Font group, click the abc (strikethrough) button.
Click it again to remove the strikethrough.

Method 3: Create a One-Key Shortcut (Windows)

Click the File tab, then Options.
Select Customize Ribbon.
At the bottom, next to “Keyboard shortcuts,” click Customize….
In the “Categories” list, choose Home Tab.
In the “Commands” list, scroll to Strikethrough.
Click in the “Press new shortcut key” box and press a combination like Ctrl + Shift + S (or any unassigned combo).
Click Assign, then Close.
Now that key combo will toggle strikethrough on the selected text.

Method 4: Quick Access Toolbar (Mac & Windows)

Click the small downward arrow at the end of the Quick Access Toolbar (top-left).
Choose More Commands….
In the “Choose commands from” drop-down, select All Commands.
Scroll to Strikethrough, select it, and click Add.
Click OK. A strikethrough button now appears in the top toolbar.
Select text and click that button to toggle the effect.

Common Mistakes

Using Ctrl+D and forgetting the Alt+K step: Ctrl+D opens the Font dialog, but it doesn’t apply strikethrough by itself. You must press Alt+K to check the box, then Enter.
Selecting the wrong text: Strikethrough applies only to the text you’ve selected. If you click without selecting, Word will apply it to the next character you type.
Assuming Ctrl+Shift+X works on Windows: That shortcut is for superscript on Windows; it’s only strikethrough on Mac.
Not realizing double strikethrough is a separate feature: The shortcut and ribbon button apply single strikethrough. For double, you must go to the Font dialog and check “Double strikethrough.”

Tips

Use the custom shortcut method to assign a simple combo like Ctrl + Shift + S – it’s much faster than the built-in Windows method.
If you use strikethrough often (e.g., for task lists), add it to the Quick Access Toolbar so it’s always one click away.
Combine strikethrough with a color change (e.g., red) to make deleted text stand out in tracked changes or review documents.
In Word for the web, the shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + X on Windows, and Command + Shift + X on Mac – it works directly without a dialog.

Troubleshooting

Strikethrough shortcut does nothing

Make sure you have selected text first. The shortcut won’t do anything if no text is selected.
Check if you’re in a text box or a table cell – sometimes focus is on the container, not the text. Click inside the text area first.
Try the ribbon button (Home > abc). If that works, the shortcut may have been reassigned or blocked by an add-in.

Custom shortcut won’t assign

If you see “Currently assigned to” below the “Press new shortcut key” box, that combo is already in use. Choose a different one.
Make sure you clicked Assign after typing the combo – just closing the dialog won’t save it.

Strikethrough appears but won’t go away

Select the text and press the same shortcut again. If that fails, go to the Font dialog (Ctrl+D) and uncheck the Strikethrough box.
If it’s still there, check if you accidentally applied double strikethrough – that’s a separate checkbox in the Font dialog.

Shortcut works in one document but not another

The document may be in compatibility mode (e.g., .doc instead of .docx). Convert it to the current format via File > Info > Convert.
Check if the document has restricted editing – if so, you can only view, not modify, text.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest strikethrough shortcut in Word?

On Mac, it’s Command + Shift + X. On Windows, the fastest is to create a custom shortcut (e.g., Ctrl + Shift + S) because the built-in method requires three steps.

Does Ctrl+Shift+X work for strikethrough in Word?

On Mac, yes. On Windows, no – it applies superscript. Use the Font dialog or a custom shortcut instead.

Can I use a single key for strikethrough?

No, Word doesn’t allow single-key shortcuts by default. You can assign a two-key combo like Ctrl + 1, but not just one key.

How do I do double strikethrough?

Select the text, press Ctrl + D, then check “Double strikethrough” in the Font dialog. There’s no default shortcut for it.

Does strikethrough work in Word Online?

Yes. Select the text and use Ctrl + Shift + X (Windows) or Command + Shift + X (Mac).

Can I remove strikethrough from all text at once?

Select all (Ctrl+A), then press the strikethrough shortcut or button. This toggles it off for all selected text that has it.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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